Cotswold District Council (CDC) has sparked frustration and disappointment after announcing its withdrawal from a public inquiry into the proposed construction of 195 homes off London Road in Moreton-in-Marsh. The council, which had initially refused the development last year citing sustainability concerns, decided to step back, saying recent changes to national planning policies severely limit its chances of successfully defending the refusal.
Last year, councillors, following planning officers’ recommendations, rejected the housing project on grounds of unsustainability. Despite appointing legal and planning experts to contest the appeal, CDC now says independent advice suggests continuing would be futile and could incur significant costs for local taxpayers.
Conservative Councillor Daryl Corps slammed the council’s move as “deeply troubling” and “profoundly disappointing,” accusing the government of imposing unrealistic housing targets on rural communities. Corps decried the council’s retreat as a betrayal of elected members’ refusal and warned it sends a negative signal to developers, who might now anticipate fewer obstacles.
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Moreton Town Councillor Eileen Viviani expressed surprise at the bureau’s decision but confirmed the Town Council would attend the inquiry to voice local concerns. Viviani emphasized the importance of highlighting cumulative impacts of multiple developments on the town, beyond what developers often consider in isolated applications.
Helen Martin, CDC’s Director of Communities and Place, explained that ongoing changes to national planning policies, including a presumption favoring developments near railway stations and a higher threshold for refusal justification, have shifted the so-called ‘tilted balance’ toward approval. She noted that testing associated with updating the Local Plan, in line with government housing targets, has indicated diminished prospects for successfully defending the appeal.
Liberal Democrat Council Leader Mike Evemy stressed that the withdrawal isn’t due to a lack of local determination but results from a national planning system biased towards granting housing developments regardless of local opposition. Evemy highlighted the tough position councils face: either accept unwelcome developments or exhaust public funds fighting appeals with low chances of success. He advocated fast-tracking a robust Local Plan as the only viable path to regaining control over development.
The government, meanwhile, has reiterated its focus on delivering 1.5 million new homes during this Parliament to tackle housing shortages and affordability issues, stating that building more quality homes nationwide is essential.
CDC assured it will continue to challenge developments causing clear harm but where resistance is no longer realistically effective, it will concentrate on securing the best outcomes for local communities.